Marcos open to IRRI developing more agri products for Pinoys nutritional requirements

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. said Friday he is open to the offer of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) to develop more agricultural products that will complete the nutritional requirements of every Filipino.

Marcos made the remark during the courtesy call of officials of the IRRI and the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR).

The President lauded the IRRI for its development of a low glycemic index (GI), which is a protein-enriched rice variety that is seen to boost the nutritional value requirements of every Filipino.

“It’s no longer just food sufficiency. There should be nutritional value given to the people. There’s very much that we could learn from you. IRRI has been actually continuing the research and development  and when we went I could see some of their rice is made not for the Philippines alone, the varieties are going all over the world,” Marcos said.

“It’s beyond the issue of food and rice in Asian countries. So, again, that just brings into very sharp focus how important rice is to us. But the other side of it is the nutrition side because of course, we cannot eat just rice. So, there has to be a source of vegetable, and protein. So that’s why we are now trying to find the [solution],” he added.

In October of last year, scientists from the IRRI presented to Marcos the identified genes for low and ultra-low glycaemic index (GI) in rice.

Marcos had said the Philippine government has been working with international institutions like the IRRI and foreign governments not only to ensure the steady supply of rice but also to enhance the development and sharing of crucial technologies and strategies.—AOL, GMA Integrated News